Shooting accuracy in children's basketball: Do equipment dimensions influence static and dynamic performances?

The purpose of study was to explore the influence of equipment dimensions on shooting accuracy in children's basketball through the effects of (a) using basket height and ball size for children and adult, along with different shooting distances (Study 1) and (b) the applied 12-week shooting training with different ball sizes (Study 2). The participants were basketball players from the same club ages from 10 to 11 years and with at least one-year basketball training experiences. In Study 1, we recruited 22 children; while in Study 2 we selected 36 children in two experimental (practice with balls for adults and children) and one control group (no practice). Shooting accuracy was assessed through the static and dynamic trials. The obtained results showed that children equipment provided no acute advantages compared to the adult equipment in terms of shooting accuracy either in static or dynamic conditions. In addition, we found no benefits on shooting accuracy when compared the effects of applied shooting training either for practice with children's or adult's ball sizes. The present findings suggested that the applied manipulations of equipment for children and adult produce no differences in terms of static or dynamic shooting accuracy performances in young basketball players.

Optimum Drop Height for Maximizing Power Output in Drop Jump: The Effect of Maximal Muscle Strength.

The main purpose of this study was to explore the cause-and-effect relation of maximal muscle strength (MSmax) on the optimum drop height (DHopt) that maximizes power output in drop jump. In total, 30 physically active male students participated in this study, whereas the 16 subjects were selected according to their resistance strength training background (i.e., level of MSmax) and allocated into 2 equal subgroups: strong (n = 8) and weak (n = 8). The main testing session consisted of drop jumps performed from 8 different drop heights (i.e., from 0.12 to 0.82 m). The individual DHopt was determined based on the maximal value power output across applied ranges of drop heights. The tested relationships between DHopt and MSmax were moderate (r = 0.39-0.50, p ≤ 0.05). In addition, the stronger individuals, on average, showed maximal values of power output on the higher drop height compared with the weaker individuals (0.62 vs. 0.32 m). Finally, significant differences in the individual DHopt between groups were detected (p < 0.01). The present findings suggest that drop height should be adjusted based on a subject's neuromuscular capacity to produce MSmax. Hence, from the perspective of strength and conditioning practitioners, MSmax should be considered as an important factor that could affect the DHopt, and therefore should be used for its adjustment in terms of optimizing athlete's testing, training, or rehabilitation intervention.

Evaluation of the field tests of flexibility of the lower extremity: reliability and the concurrent and factorial validity.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the standard field tests of flexibility of the lower extremity through their (a) intratrial and test-retest reliability, (b) concurrent validity with respect to a high-precision 3D system for kinematic recording, and (c) factorial validity. Physically active men (n = 84) were tested over 2 separate sessions by means of standard simple devices (kinanthropometry, ruler, and protractor) on the following flexibility tests: leg raise in a supine position, hip abduction test, single-legged knee bend (SLKB), sideward leg splits (SdLS), sit and reach (SR), sideways leg splits, and lengthwise leg splits. Additionally, 17 participants were simultaneously tested by means of a laboratory 3D kinematic analysis system. Most of the tests demonstrated high intratrial and test-retest reliability and concurrent validity. The exceptions were SLKB and SR tests that revealed not only a somewhat lower reliability but also a lower concurrent validity. For estimation of factorial validity, we applied a principal component analysis of the intercorrelations among the evaluated flexibility tests that revealed a single extracted principal component. Strong mutual relationships among them also suggest that very few of them, if not a single one, should be applied within the standard batteries of physical performance tests. We particularly recommend using SdLS over the most frequently used SR not only because of its relatively high reliability and validity but also because of its postural properties. Finally, we conclude that most of the standard field tests of flexibility of the lower extremity based on using inexpensive field equipment could be both reliable and valid and, therefore, justified for use in routine testing.